Justin Rutledge is hitting the road for 30 dates with Blue Rodeo lead man Jim Cuddy.

They'll be traveling to theatres from coast to coast until December 7^th.

Rutledge says that he and Jim Cuddy have already been rehearsing songs to play together at the shows.

"Jim's a real inspiration," he says, "so I have a feeling I'm going to learn quite a bit on this tour."

Rutledge was also just named Best Singer/Songwriter in this year's Now Magazine Best of Toronto issue, which came out today.

"You know you never really think you're going ot make somewhat of a living off what you do in your spare time. But it makes me feel like I'm supposed to be doing this," says Rutledge, on his cell phone from Toronto. "It makes me feel really good."

Other winners in Now's Best of Toronto issue include Jenny Whiteley, Owen Pallett and Shawn Hewitt.